Thread holder and cutter



, Sept. 11, 1928. I

W. L. RATHJEN v THREAD HOLDER AND CUTTER Filed July 12, 192'? FF J Eff f5 j TTURNE/ Patented. Sept. 1 1, 1928.

WIILIAI LBiATHEI'EN, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

THREAD HOLDEF. AND CUTTER.

Application filed July 12,

This invention relates generally to-spools for holding thread, and particularly to a device for holding the thread on the spool. and for cutting off pieces of thread.

The first object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple and efficient form of thread cutter and holder by means a of which a piece of thread can be easily cut from a spool and the remaining end on the spool be securely held in place for later use.

The second object is to provide a means for preventing the undue soiling of thread and loss of time occasioned by same becomconvenience of the user.

ing unwound in work boxes or on racks when the end has become freed.

The third object is to prevent the rolling of the spool on the table or floor to the in- The f urth object is to so construct the device that it can be manufactured at a negli'gible cost and easil applied or transferred from one spoo to another without whose flanges 11 are ordinaril provided with the use of any tools or requiring any special skill in the operation.

These, and other objects, will become more apparent from the specification following as illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in

which: 1

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a spool showing the device attached thereto with portioni of the ends of the spool and of the device broken away in section. Figure '2 is an end elevation of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a transverse section taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3 showin the first stop in the operation of cutting o a piece of thread showing the thread being pulled to the required length. Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 showing the thread being cut. Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 showing the thread severed with the remaining end held in the cutting notch.

Similar numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout the'several views.

Referring in detail to the' drawing, there is illustrated the ordinary wooden spool 10 a notch for the purpose of olding thread, but which in thisinstance is not required.

- Thread 12 is shown wound on the spool.

The spool 10 is also provided with the usual hole 13 passing through its longitudinal axis.

Turning now to the device itself it will be seen to consist of a somewhat U-shaped 1927. Serial. No. 205,114.

ice;

frame of thin spring metal whose central portion 14 is curved to allow same to bear against the surface of the thread 12. -The member 14 .curvesoutward to form the rojections 15 at each end of the spool. This provides clearance for the flanges 11; adds spring to the part and prevents the spool from rolling on an inclined surface.

The sides 16 of the'deviceare parallel and are provided with the dished ends'17 adapted to snap into the opening 13 of the spool. The member '14 is provided with a pair of opposite V notches 18 which have a double function; first that of cutting the thread to the desired length, and second the holding of the remaining end against unwinding.

The operation of the device is as follows:

To place same on the s 001 it is merely pressed against the side 0 the flanges-11 so.

as to spring the sides 16 apart sufliciently far to allow the spool to enter. The end of the thread is then pulled out to the desired length and then drawn across the notch 18 with suflicient force to sever the thread, where the end remains as above suggested.

The only object in providing two notches :18 is to render it immaterial which way the deyice is placed upon the spool, it being only necessary to have a notch into which the thread can be drawn by a movement which would unwind the thread. I

I am aware that spools have long been rovided with notches in the flanges for holdmg the thread against unwinding,but it is a matter of common knowledge that such means are not dependable for the object intended and are constantly breaking away and becoming useless; I therefore do not intend to cover such devices broadly, but I do intend to cover all such forms and modifications thereofas fall fairly within the appended claims.

I claim:'

1. A thread holder of a U-shaped spring metal clip having trunnions formed in its ends adapted to engage the hole ends of a spool; and having a cutting 2. A thread holder and cutter consisting of a U-shaped spring metal clip having trunnions formed at each end between which a spool can be rotatably mounted; the mid porand cutter consisting tion of said clip having a curvature which middle portion adapted to cause same to hour will cause same to bear tangentially against tangentially against the thread wound on v the thread Wound on said spool. said spool, said curved portion having cut- 10 3. A thread holder and cutter consisting ting notches formed therein; and having its 5 of a U-shaped spring metal clip having trunends projecting radially beyond the spool nions formed between its ends between which flanges to prevent'same from rolling. a spool can be mounted and having a curved WILLIAM L. RATHJEN. 

